Context

• The integration of renewable energy offers an opportunity to ensure reliable power  supply for rural sanitation initiatives, such as water pumping and waste  management. 
• A  stable power supply is vital for the  availability of clean water and its  access is intrinsically linked to sanitation.

Need for Renewable Energy in Rural Sanitation

• The key elements of efficient rural sanitation are maintenance of toilets in hygienic condition and in functional mode at all times, isolation of human waste from human contact, proper management of solid and liquid waste and following hygienic practices. 
• The electricity demand in rural areas is not only quantitatively small but also sparsely placed, necessitating the establishment of capital-intensive power distribution networks. 
  • Installing the solar PV systems and meeting the electricity requirements locally may lessen the distribution network demand.

Role of Renewable Energy in Sanitation

• Renewable energy can play an important role in ensuring regular water supply in rural areas.
• Renewable energy helps in providing the required reliable power through smart and microgrids for operating water pumping systems. 
• Surplus biomass and other wastes available in the rural areas may be utilised to produce electricity. Apart from renewable energy and reduction in waste management costs, it also provides several social and environmental benefits, such as reducing air, water and land pollution.
• The integration of Smart Grid with widespread renewable energy sources provides a significant opportunity to meet the power requirements for sanitation initiatives in rural areas, including water pumping systems, mechanical cleaning of toilets and public spaces, and waste management.

Government Initiatives

• PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
  • It was launched in February 2024 to increase the share of solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity. 
  • For each Residential Rooftop Solar (RTS) installation under PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Central Financial Assistance shall be transferred to the concerned consumer through the National Portal.
  • Access to water and sanitation is essential for health and well-being. This scheme would ensure availability of reliable and affordable power supply to rural households, which is an important factor for efficient sanitation in rural areas.
• PM KUSUM 
  • This initiative empowers barren and fallow land to generate solar energy and supports farmers with additional income from their unused land.

Adopting renewable energy is essential for the future. Its extensive use will help satisfy the energy demands of rural areas and support the country’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2070.